Physics News
Quantum Computing in India
R Vijayaraghavan1
1 Departmentof Condensed Matter Physics & Materials Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental
Research, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
E-mail: [Link]@[Link]
[Link] received his Ph. D. from Yale University and conducted postdoctoral research at
the University of California, Berkeley. He is one of India's leading experts in superconducting qubits,
with more than 20 years of experience in this field. He is an Associate Professor and lead investigator
of the Quantum Measurement and Control Laboratory at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research,
Mumbai. He leads several efforts to build small-scale quantum computers and has also contributed
extensively to planning the upcoming National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications.
Abstract
Starting in the mid-1980s with quantum control and detection of individual atoms, we now have access to various controllable
quantum systems, both natural and engineered, like trapped ions, superconducting electrical circuits, photons and others. These
new tools are bringing about the second quantum revolution in four broad areas of quantum technologies: Quantum Computing
& Simulations for unparalleled processing power, Quantum Communication for ultra-secure communications, Quantum
Sensing & Metrology for ultra-sensitive detectors and Quantum Materials for novel materials. In this article, I will describe the
current status of quantum computing in India. First, I will briefly cover the early efforts and then move on to the new
programmes launched by the government to promote quantum technology research in India. Finally, I will discuss the ambitious
national mission to be launched soon and mention the opportunities and challenges.
Introduction methods to isolate two quantum levels for use as a qubit and
also differ in how they are controlled and manipulated.
Quantum computers store and process information using
Superconducting electronic circuits operating at millikelvin
quantum two-level systems (quantum bits or qubits), which,
temperatures and laser-cooled trapped ion systems have
unlike classical bits, can be prepared in a superposition state.
emerged as leading candidates for a scalable quantum
This fundamental difference makes quantum computers
processor architecture. Semiconducting qubits have also made
extremely powerful compared to conventional computers
rapid progress recently, with the potential advantage of being
when solving certain kinds of problems like finding prime
compatible with existing semiconductor fabrication
factors of large numbers and searching large databases. The
techniques for large-scale chips. More recently, photonic
prime-factorization quantum algorithm has important
qubits, which encode the quantum state in light, are making a
implications for security as it can break RSA encryption, a
solid comeback and may offer some advantages for specific
popular method for secure communication today. In addition,
computations.
quantum computers can efficiently solve quantum mechanical
problems which are otherwise intractable on a conventional RSA encryption algorithm, named after the inventors Rivest,
computer. Since quantum mechanics is at the heart of most Shamir and Adleman, is based on the fact that factoring large
physical, chemical and biological phenomena, a quantum integers is extremely demanding computationally using
computer promises to revolutionize these fields by enabling us classical algorithms. It uses a public key accessible to
to model nature at a fundamental level. This will lead to the everyone and a secret private key. Both these keys are derived
discovery of new molecules, novel materials, clean energy, from two large prime numbers, but only the person with the
effective medicines and a deeper understanding of nature. private key can decrypt the message. It is possible to use the
public key to decrypt the message provided one can find the
The development of Shor's and Grover's algorithms in the prime factors of a large integer since the public key is based
1990s kickstarted the efforts to build quantum hardware which on their product. Peter Shor showed that the prime-factoring
can support the execution of such algorithms. Several algorithm can be turned into a period-finding algorithm,
hardware platforms are being pursued today [1] to develop a which can then be solved efficiently on an ideal quantum
quantum computer. They include trapped ion qubits, computer using his quantum algorithm. Today's quantum
superconducting qubits, semiconducting qubits (charge and computers are not powerful enough to break present-day RSA
encryption, but with a sufficient number of error-corrected
spin), photonic qubits, and nitrogen-vacancy centres in
qubits, this would be possible in the future.
diamonds, to name a few. All these platforms use different
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The largest gate-based quantum processor to date has been The funding situation started to improve around 2010 when
developed by IBM and contains 433 qubits [2]. While several several reasonably well-funded labs began coming up in
quantum processors are now available, including many with different parts of the country. These included an ultracold
free cloud-based access, none of these systems implements atoms/ions lab (Umakant Rapol, IISER Pune), a
quantum error correction (QEC), which is crucial to develop a superconducting qubit lab (R. Vijayaraghavan, TIFR
practical quantum computer [3]. QEC is required because Mumbai), a silicon quantum computing lab (Madhu
most qubits are unstable and lose their “quantumness” or Thalakulam, IISER Thiruvananthapuram) and a photonics lab
quantum coherence in a time ranging from microseconds to (Prof. Urbasi Sinha, RRI). This also catalyzed interactions
milliseconds depending on the hardware platform. This means between theory and experiments and set the stage for India's
that one cannot trust the results of the calculations, which next phase of quantum technology-related activities.
require a runtime comparable to these decoherence times.
A Quantum Leap
QEC uses quantum entanglement among several physical
qubits to create a logical qubit which can be significantly more In 2017, the Government of India's Department of Science and
stable than the constituent physical qubits. While QEC theory Technology (DST) launched a new programme to promote
is solid, and several proof-of-principal experiments have quantum technology-related research. This programme was
shown promise, practical QEC still needs to be achieved and called Quantum Enabled Science and Technology or QuEST
is a significant milestone. [9]. Several discussions took place between July and October
of 2017 to decide on the programme's scope, followed by the
Quantum Computing in India – early efforts call for proposals in December 2017. Over the next year,
The first major programme to support quantum computing several meetings took place to evaluate about 150 proposals.
(and quantum technologies in general) took off only in 2019- They were narrowed down to 51 projects and funded with an
20. Before that, a few individual groups in different parts of outlay of approximately Rs. 200 crores for a three-year
the country were involved in small-scale efforts. NMR groups programme. The first phase of the programme, with about 23
made early experimental efforts in quantum computing in projects, was sanctioned in March 2019, while the rest were
India, particularly Anil Kumar (IISc, Bangalore; retired), who sanctioned about a year later, in February 2020.
demonstrated various algorithms [4] in NMR systems. While The broad objectives of the QuEST programme are as follows:
NMR enjoyed some early successes in quantum computing,
including the demonstration of Shor’s algorithm [5] by Development and demonstration of quantum computers
scientists at IBM in 2001, this technology is now considered Development and demonstration of quantum
obsolete since there is no clear path to scaling to a large communication & cryptography
number of qubits. However, it remains a valuable tool to test Development of quantum-enhanced and inspired
ideas and may see a resurgence with novel ideas. In India, T S technology
Mahesh (IISER Pune) and Kavita Dorai (IISER Mohali) are Development of advanced mathematical quantum
currently conducting NMR-based quantum computing techniques, algorithms and theory of quantum information
experiments. systems.
The thematic areas covered in QuEST were distributed
Vasant Natarajan at IISc Bangalore produced a cloud of
among four themes. They included quantum information
trapped laser-cooled Rubidium atoms in 2001 for the first time
technologies with photonic devices (Theme-1), nitrogen-
in India [6]. His research had implications for high-precision
vacancy & magnetic resonance devices (Theme-2), ion-trap
frequency metrology and quantum optics experiments
& optical-lattices devices (Theme-3), and superconducting &
employing precision atomic spectroscopy. He also started
quantum dot devices (Theme-4). It also aimed to address the
experiments for testing fundamental theories in particle
mathematical and fundamental aspects of quantum
physics, e.g. tests of parity violation and measurement of
computation and quantum information. Out of the 51 selected
permanent electric dipole moment using atomic systems [7].
projects [9], 28 are experimental, and 23 are theoretical, with
Unfortunately, funding constraints and Vasant's failing health
strong linkages within and across themes. While QuEST
[8] prevented these early achievements from being expanded
covers many aspects of quantum technology research, a
to more sophisticated experiments required for quantum
significant focus has been given to quantum computing, with
computing. Nevertheless, several students from his lab are
about 12 experimental projects and several supporting theory
leading research in this area in different parts of the country.
projects. These include superconducting qubit projects at
Many physicists also worked on theoretical aspects of TIFR, Mumbai and IISc, Bangalore, semiconducting qubit
quantum information and related areas. One example is the projects at IIT Bombay, IISER Thiruvananthapuram and
Quantum Information and Computing group at the Harish- IISER Kolkata, NMR projects at IISER Pune and IISER
Chandra Research Institute in Prayagraj led by Arun Pati, Mohali, and diamond NV Centre projects at IIT Bombay,
Aditi Sen De and Ujjwal Sen. However, due to a lack of a IISER Pune and IIT Madras.
robust experimental effort in the country, the theoretical
The QuEST programme is the first major funding effort
research was not directly connected to technology
from the government to push quantum technology research in
development, and there was limited interaction between
India. While it was unfortunate that the programme
experimentalists and theorists.
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kickstarted in the middle of a global pandemic and was also include the development of superconducting qubit technology,
significantly affected by the new restrictions on imports, it has quantum algorithms and indigenous FPGA-based control
already had a major impact on two critical fronts. First, it has electronics, among many quantum technology projects. In
brought together the scientific community engaged in addition, there is also the Centre on Quantum Information,
quantum technology research in India under one umbrella. Communication and Computing (CQuICC) [13] at IIT Madras
This has led to many new collaborations, exchanges of which also has projects related to quantum computing.
expertise, and a general sense of community among scientists. The past three to five years have seen a significant push in
Second, it has significantly expanded the much-needed quantum technology research, with many institutions and
infrastructure for quantum technology research by providing government agencies getting involved and significant new
sufficient funds. Laboratories engaged in quantum technology funds. Many of these projects are still in their early stages but
research are costly to set up, requiring anywhere between 2 to are moving along steadily. The new infrastructure created, the
10 crores even to get started. Even now, only a few institutions expertise developed and the workforce trained are setting the
in India can provide this kind of funding, and the usual stage for the ambitious goals of the upcoming National
government funding programmes have much smaller budgets Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications.
for individual projects.
The National Mission and the way forward
Following QuEST, DST funded a Technology Innovation
Hub on Quantum Technologies [10] at IISER Pune in 2021. In February 2020, as part of the union budget address, the
The I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation (I-Hub QTF) is Government of India announced a National Mission on
established as a Section-8 company at IISER Pune and aims Quantum Technology and Applications (NMQTA) with
to support projects which can lead to commercial applications funding to the tune of 8000 crores over five years. The DST
in a short time. The hub will support the development of led the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR),
quantum computers, quantum communication devices and which unfortunately slowed down due to the covid-19
systems, novel quantum materials and sensors for day-to-day pandemic. Several meetings took place over the next two years
applications. The hub includes thirteen research groups from and included stakeholders from academia, industry and the
the host institute and strong participation from over 20 partner government to finalize the DPR of the national mission.
institutes from around the country. Since the focus is on The national mission will cover all areas of quantum
technology development and commercial applications, the technology and is broadly divided into four verticals:
hub will also help incubate start-up companies and provide Quantum Computing & Simulations, Quantum
them with the necessary expertise and funds. The DST has Communications, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and
sanctioned 170 crores for developing this hub over five years. Quantum Material & Devices. Similar to the I-Hub at IISER
Several other programmes also took root in the period Pune mentioned earlier, each of these verticals will be
2019-21. The Defence Research & Development Organization coordinated by a Thematic Hub (T-Hub), which will be set up
(DRDO) started a series of young scientists labs in various as a Section 8 company to provide more freedom and
critical areas, and one of them was the DRDO Young Scientist flexibility when compared to conventional funding models
Laboratories in Quantum Technologies (DYSL-QT) [11]. The [14]. The goal of each hub would be to coordinate and
lab currently operates out of the DIAT, Pune campus and is consolidate all the required activities to achieve the targets set
also involved in several projects around the country in out in the DPR for that vertical. These will be achieved by
collaboration with experts in academic institutions. One such several R&D projects happening not only at the hub but also
effort in quantum computing is a project to build a 7-qubit distributed throughout the country in the form of smaller
quantum computer using superconducting qubit technology, centres (spokes) and projects run by individual researchers
which will be accessible via a cloud interface. This is probably (spikes). The hub's governing board will carry out the overall
the most ambitious quantum computing project in India and is coordination. These hubs will be awarded to an institute or a
being executed at TIFR, Mumbai, in collaboration with R. consortium based on an open call. All the relevant
Vijayaraghavan’s group. TIFR is also collaborating with Tata stakeholders are expected to come together to form a cohesive
Consultancy Services (TCS) to develop the cloud-based team to bid for the T-Hubs. In addition, there will be a central
interface. The DRDO has also created their quantum coordinating hub which will coordinate the overall activities,
technology roadmap and has supported several other projects, carry out translational research, incubate start-ups, create links
including one on developing silicon spin-qubits-based devices with industries, coordinate international collaboration, run an
at IIT Bombay, headed by Suddhasatta Mahapatra. outreach programme and also develop a comprehensive
Several other centres have also come up in the past 2-3 Human Resource Development programme to create the
years. This includes a Centre for Excellence in Quantum workforce needed to execute this mission.
Technology (CEQT) [12] at IISc, Bangalore, that is supported Today, the total worldwide investments in quantum
by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology technologies are estimated to be nearing $30 billion [15],
(MeitY) and includes Raman Research Institute (RRI), while the global quantum technology market is projected to
Bangalore and the Centre for Development of Advanced reach nearly $43 billion by 2027 [16]. India’s planned
Computing (CDAC) as partners. The centre's activities investment of about one billion dollars is comparable to that
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of several leading countries, including the UK, Canada, the manufacturers. The waiver process involves demonstrating
US National Quantum Initiative and the Europe Quantum that no domestic alternatives exist and includes several steps,
Flagship Programme. However, these proposed investments in like failed domestic tenders and getting inputs from various
India come nearly three decades after countries such as the US government departments. This is causing tremendous delays
and many in Europe have received steady funding for in the procurement process, which was already very slow and
fundamental and applied research in quantum technologies. cumbersome. A quick look at the waiver form also makes it
This has provided the necessary groundwork for other clear that it is mostly irrelevant to procuring scientific
countries to accelerate work in this field. On the other hand, equipment. Even if different institutions are importing the
India has been able to attract funding of this scale only in the same equipment in different parts of the country, the entire
last 3-5 years, making the NMQTA mission an ambitious and process has to be repeated independently for each
important one with the opportunity to revolutionize the R&D procurement. Adding to the confusion and frustration is that
sector in India at all levels. each institute interprets the procedures differently, resulting in
varying times to get the waiver. While some relaxations have
It is clear that there is going to be ample funding for India’s
been given for educational and research institutes since the
quantum mission. Still, several other things must fall into
original order was issued in May 2020, the process is still
place to ensure the mission's success. One significant
wasting precious time. It would be much more productive to
challenge is the extensive scientific and technical workforce
set aside some funds in the mission to develop some carefully
needed to operate a mission of this magnitude. The
chosen high-tech scientific equipment indigenously. It is
developments in the last few years discussed in the previous
unclear at this stage if this policy will be changed anytime
section are timely and will help in this regard. However, more
soon, but an efficient mechanism must be implemented for
will be needed, and aggressive hiring of new talent and
NMQTA projects.
intensive training programmes in the early part of the mission
will be crucial. In addition, strong linkages with industry to Conclusion
create future opportunities for this large workforce will be Quantum computing and other quantum technologies are
needed to attract and retain the best talent. Much has been said crucial areas of focus for the entire world. Indian science and
recently about delays in funds disbursement by various industry have a tremendous opportunity to contribute
government agencies, but it is worth repeating. Such delays significantly in this area with many favourable conditions.
completely upset any planning by affecting budgets, human However, it will require dedicated teamwork and clever and
resource development and, quite often, the project's relevance. efficient execution from all the stakeholders, including
With so much at stake, the NMQTA administration must academia, industry, and the government. Only then can India
ensure timely fund disbursement to prevent tremendous hope to make a significant impact in this highly critical area
wastage. of technology which has the potential to revolutionize the 21st
Finally, some new challenges have emerged due to the century.
global pandemic, which is still affecting the global supply References
chain and causing considerable delays in procuring high-tech
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021-00410-6
technologies. A connected issue is related to the new
2. [Link]/4c8kwfx7
restrictions on importing goods, which is critical for NMQTA. 3. Georgescu, I., Nat Rev Phys 2, 519 (2020).
The primary goal of this mission is to develop indigenous [Link]
quantum technology. But to achieve that goal, several new 4. [Link]
state-of-the-art laboratories and R&D centres must be set up, 5. Vandersypen, L. et al., Nature 414, 883-887 (2001),
all needing high-tech scientific equipment. And nearly none of [Link]
that is manufactured in India. While restricting imports for 6. Rapol, U. D., et al., Phys. Rev. A 64, 023402 (2001),
procurement using government funds may seem like a good [Link]
policy to promote Indian industries and self-reliance in 7. V. Natarajan, Eur. Phys. J. D 32, 33-38 (2005),
[Link]
general, it is not very relevant or practical in procuring
8. [Link]
scientific equipment. In most cases, there is no domestic 1965-2021/
alternative available, and this is no secret. These high-tech 9. [Link]
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15. [Link]
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before floating a global tender open to all foreign m-technology-market-by-computing
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